5 questions to ask an eye doctor before cataract surgery 

When an eye care provider says it may be time for cataract surgery, patients probably have a lot of questions. After all, the thought of having surgery on one or both eyes might make anyone a little nervous.  

Normally, cataract surgery is safe and effective, but it may be helpful to fully understand what to expect before, during and after the procedure.  

What are cataracts? 

Cataracts are when cloudiness develops in the lens, or the clear portion of the eye located behind the iris. It’s incredibly common with age — half of American adults over the age of 80 either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them.¹  

When a person has a cataract, that cloudiness in the lens causes light to scatter, making it hard for the eye to focus. As a result, someone might gradually notice increased blurriness and haziness, as well as an increased sensitivity to light.² 

“I start to see patients begin developing age-related cataracts between 40 and 50 years old,” says Amy Moy, O.D. She’s an associate professor of clinical optometry at the New England College of Optometry. 

In the beginning, patients may notice subtle signs, such as needing more light to read, says Dr. Moy. That doesn’t mean an eye care provider has to do anything at that point though. What’s most important is that an eye care provider is aware that a patient has developed cataracts. That’s possible through regular eye exams. That way, the eye care provider can watch how the cataracts develop in one or both eyes. If they’ve advanced far enough, they might require treatment, such as when someone has trouble driving, reading or doing other daily activities.³ 

Stay on top of your eye health with an in-network provider. Search for eye care provider now. 

What might happen during cataract surgery? 

Cataract surgery is a procedure where an ophthalmologist (a type of eye doctor who performs eye surgery) removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. 

While patients are usually awake during surgery, they may not feel anything. Their eye will be numbed, and they will receive medication to stay relaxed while the doctor uses small instruments to remove the old lens and put in a new lens implant.³ “The implant is a clear, artificial lens that replaces the cloudy lens, and it can come with a prescription to correct vision as well,” says Dr. Moy. 

Patients who have questions about what their options might be can discuss them with their eye care provider. 

5 questions to ask an eye care provider before cataract surgery 

There may come a time when a person has a cataract in one or both eyes that may require surgery. An ophthalmologist will perform that surgery, but an optometrist may be the one to let the patient know it’s time for surgery and prep them on what to expect. 

Here are some questions you might want to ask:  

Question #1: Can cataract surgery wait? 

If a person’s vision is 20/40 or worse, an eye care provider may consider cataract surgery, says Dr. Moy. But an eye care provider might also ask whether their vision is affecting their day-to-day life. That could include having trouble:  

• Driving 
• Reading 
• Seeing objects and bumping into them  

“Looking through a cloudy lens can be like looking through a dirty window,” says Dr. Moy. 

After the discussion, the eye care provider may choose to monitor a person’s cataracts for a year or two. The other option could be recommending surgery if the person’s cataracts are impacting them to the point where their everyday life is being disrupted. 

Question #2: Could both eyes require cataract surgery? 

Yes, but if so, the eye care provider will likely recommend getting surgery on one eye at a time, says Dr. Moy. “This allows patients to have some vision in one eye while the operated-on eye recovers,” she says. Then, at least a month later, the patient can have the procedure on the second eye.  

New frames. New you.

Browse the latest styles to find the perfect pair.

SHOP NOW

SHOP NOW

Question #3: What might happen during cataract surgery?  
A person might get nervous at the thought of eye surgery. But Dr. Moy emphasizes that the surgery is routine. “Cataract surgery is a one-day outpatient surgery,” she says. 

The surgery itself takes about an hour and is almost painless.³ There may be prep and recovery time needed as well. But patients will go home at the end of the day. They’ll want to make sure to bring along a friend or loved one who can drive them home though. They won’t be able to drive themselves. 

Question #4: What might recovery be like? 

After going home, patients might notice blurriness and irritation for up to a few days, says Dr. Moy. The eye care provider will give them an eye shield after surgery, which they’ll need to wear for about a week, even when sleeping, she says. 

Eye care providers will likely provide more guidance about what is and isn’t allowed. But in general, patients will need to avoid getting water in their eyes and doing strenuous activities. 

Question #5: What might a person’s vision be like after cataract surgery? 

People may not see clearly immediately. “Depending on how reduced someone’s vision was before cataract surgery, they will likely gradually see better about a month after their surgery,” says Dr. Moy. But patients may notice improvements rather quickly, she says: “When my father had cataract surgery, he woke up the next morning and said to my mother, ‘Wow! I can see your eyebrows!’” 

One month after surgery, when people start seeing clearer, they may need their glasses prescription remeasured. That may help improve their vision even more. “After 2 months, the eye should be completely recovered,” says Dr. Moy. 

Here’s some great news: After cataract surgery, 9 out of 10 people have improved vision.¹ Get ready to enjoy how much clearer life can look. 

Providers in the UnitedHealthcare Vision Network are here to help keep your vision healthy. Search for an eye care provider now. 

Sources: 

1. Cataracts National Eye Institute, last updated November 2023.  
2. Cataract American Optometric Association. 
3. Cataract surgery National Eye Institute, last updated January 2023.